EKO Cobra

EKO Cobra (Einsatzkommando Cobra) is the Austrian premier Counter-Terrorism unit. It is widely regarded as one of the best in the world.

History

The Einsatzkommando Cobra, formerly known as GEK (Gendarmerieeinsatzkommando) was formed in 1972, primarily to protect Jewish immigrants who were using Austria as a throughroute to Israel from attack by Palestinian militant groups, and as a response to the attack on Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Its main office is in Wiener Neustadt, with sub-offices in Graz and Linz and Innsbruck.

The 200 men of EKO Cobra are believed to be among the best trained Counter-Terrorist commandos, and other Special Forces have trained alongside them. They are especially respected for their climbing skills.

Known Operations

In 1975, EKO Cobra was involved in trying to end the OPEC siege led by Carlos (the Jackal). Although it has never partaken in the kind of hostage rescues that GIGN, GIS, GSG 9 and the SAS have, the EKO Cobra is so far the only Counter-Terrorism unit that ended a hi-jacking while the plane was still in the air: On October 17, 1996, 4 Cobra officers were on board an Aeroflot Tupolev 154 escorting deported prisoners to Lagos when a Nigerian threatend the cockpit crew with a knife and demanded a diversion to Germany or South Africa. The team overcame the man and handed him to the authorities after landing. The officers received a decoration by Russian President Putin.

In 2002 the Federal Ministry of Interior changed the name from GEK (Gendarmerieeinsatzkommando) to EKO Cobra (Einsatzkommando Cobra). Cobra was the internal code name for this Special Operations unit, influenced by the TV-Show Mission Impossible (German: Cobra, übernehmen Sie!) and now it became part of the official name, which is not part of the Police. It is directly subordinate to the Federal Ministry of Interior.

Weapons

In line with other Austrian executive bodies, EKO Cobra is equipped with the Austrian Steyr AUG (mil. StG77) assault rifle and the Austrian Glock 17 9mm pistol. Their sniper rifle of choice is the Steyr SSG 69 (SD).

Bulletin Board

"Out of every one hundred men, ten shouldn't even be there, eighty are just targets, nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one, one is a warrior, and he will bring the others back." -Heraclitus